The Forward Operating Base, FOB, of the Nigerian Navy, Badagry, on Saturday warned petroleum dealers within the city over smuggling of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, generally known as petrol to neighbouring nations.
Capt.Adams Aliu, the Commanding Officer, FOB, NN, gave the warning at a stakeholders’ assembly with Petroleum Dealers Association, Badagry Chapter, on the Base workplace.
“If the Federal Government makes a decision that petrol that is meant for Nigeria market should be sold in Nigeria, I cannot pretend when someone is carrying it across waterways to neighbouring countries.
“I have to react and ask why they are carrying petrol in jerrycan and where they get it and where they are taking it to.
“This is where you come in as the petroleum dealers in Badagry.
“As I am, I can’t get petrol here unless I get to filling stations within Badagry.
“So, it is you that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) supplies petrol and you are the ones that can explain how the product gets to all these neighbouring countries.
“The opposite of this is that when they smuggle petrol to neighbouring countries, they will bring rice into the country.
“It is now necessary on me to check the boundary, why there is such movement and make the arrest if necessary,” he stated.
The commanding officer stated that smuggling of petroleum merchandise outdoors the nation was having hostile results on the economic system of the nation, urging entrepreneurs to shun the apply.
Mr Aliu stated that there was a latest report on-line that Naval officers had been harassing and extorting petrol stations in Badagry communities.
The commanding officer, nevertheless, stated that since he resumed workplace on March 23, no personnel had come out of the waterways to filling stations or land to test any smuggling.
The Commanding Officer (FOB) presenting presents to Alhaji Ganiyu Adelani, the Chairman PDA, on Saturday.
The commanding officer, who gave out his telephone quantity, urged members of the affiliation to name him anytime and to not hesitate on reporting any personnel of their filling station discovered harassing individuals.
Responding, Ganiyu Adelani, the Chairman, PDA, Badagry, stated that the affiliation had been having points with officers and males of the Nigerian Navy.
“There was a time some filling stations had issues with Naval operatives but you had not assumed office then.
“We are very grateful to you for inviting us to this meeting today and we promise to assist you from checking smuggling on waterways,” he stated.
NAN
